DEFINITIONS

dictionary A virtual plethora of 'literacies' appears to have descended on the educational landscape, beyond that which is increasingly referred to as 'functional literacy'. Visual literacy, financial literacy, even geographical literacy have appeared in educational literature.

However, few of these 'literacies' have provided such a rich dearth of definitions as Information Literacy. Nor indeed, it must be noted, a concept on which there is no disagreement as to its importance in education. Multiple definitions of ‘literacy’ itself abound, all quite valid and comprehensive. Perhaps at base level for the purposes of this paper an adequate definition might be:

The ability to communicate through use of the written word.

However, this then raises the contentious issue of what is meant by ‘communicate’. Once again, there are literally millions of websites that will provide a definition, although frequently in relationship to a specific context. Again for the purposes of this discussion, most would quite happily accept:

The ability to receive and convey information, ideas, concepts and other abstract entities both within and beyond peer groups.

Given that two definitions have been required to reach this point, what then can be expected when attempting to define Information Literacy itself?

Montage of children in libraries and using computers